Court of Appeal outcome will be known by 9th February 2012

Court of Appeal outcome will be known by 9^th February 2012

The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has now put before Parliament its ‘Plan B’: an order to lower solar PV Feed-in Tariffs with effect from 3^rd March 2012.  The outcome of the DECC’s appeal of last month’s Judicial Review will be known by 9^th February 2012.  Should DECC lose the appeal, then the higher rates will apply until 3^rd March 2012.  If DECC wins, then it will be able to continue with its consultation, and implement the decisions made.

Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker said:

“I know this is a difficult time for the sector and I want to do as much as I can to end the current uncertainty created by the legal challenge.

We must reduce the level of FITs for solar panels as quickly as possible, to protect consumer bills and to avoid bust in the whole Feed-in Tariff budget.  We’re appealing against the court ruling that’s challenged our proposal for a December reference date.  This remains our aim, and we are waiting for the judgment of the Court of Appeal.  But this is too important for us to sit and do nothing while we wait.  Today we’re putting in place a contingency that will bring a 21p rate into effect from April for installations from 3 March. 

However, we are still pressing ahead with our appeal and if successful, we retain the option of introducing a December reference date.  In the circumstances we believe this gives the industry as much certainty as is possible.  And it puts us in a better position to protect the budget for everyone involved.”

If you have any concerns or would like to discuss any aspect of your PV project, please contact lee.baxter@myriadceg.com  or telephone 0203 056 0875

 

GOVERNMENT MINISTER SIGNALS SUPPORT FOR THE UK BIOMASS INDUSTRY

 GOVERNMENT MINISTER SIGNALS SUPPORT FOR THE UK BIOMASS INDUSTRY

The Energy Minister, Charles Hendry MP, has reinforced Government support for the UK biomass industry and highlighted its importance as a proven, practical and secure part of a sustainable energy mix.

At a Westminster reception, organised by the Back Biomass campaign, the Minister reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to a significant ramping up of biomass electricity, heat and CHP.  He also stated that the Government is well on the way to tackling financial and non-financial barriers to achieving their ambitious targets.

The Back Biomass campaign is an industry-led initiative designed to promote awareness and understanding of the merits of biomass as proven, practical, secure source of low-carbon energy and has gained widespread support since its launch in July.

Energy Minister Charles Hendry MP said:

“I want to state that biomass is a huge opportunity for the UK. It can bring us clean electricity and heat, greater energy security, economic development in both rural and urban areas, and new green jobs. It is one of the major new growth opportunities that can help the UK economy out of recession.”

“The Government’s bio-energy strategy… will be published in the New Year. This work confirms the key importance of sustainably-sourced energy from biomass in meeting the UK’s legally binding carbon reduction targets for 2050. In fact it confirms that without bio-energy it will not be possible to meet those targets.”

To read the REA article containing REA Chief Executive Gaynor Hartnell’s comments please click:-

http://www.r-e-a.net/news/energy-minister-signals-support-for-the-uk-biomass-industry

Appeal lodged by Government

On Wednesday 4^th January 2012 the government lodged an appeal against a High Court judge’s ruling that its proposed cuts to solar power subsidies were `legally flawed’.  It is argued that the cuts were essential to encourage as many homeowners as possible to install renewable energy and it has been stated that the judge’s ruling was premature, as the final decision to cut the solar subsidies had not been taken at the time.

The proposed cuts have caused great concern within the PV industry that fear that the speed of the changes could threaten thousands of jobs.  However, Ministers argue that without an urgent reduction in the current tariffs, the budget for the scheme would be severely depleted and there would be very little available for future solar PV generators, or for other technologies.

The group’s head of campaigns, Andrew Pendleton, said: “Trying to appeal the high court’s ruling is an expensive waste of taxpayers’ money. The government must expand the scheme – with all the tax revenue the scheme generates, this can be done at no extra cost to bill payers. Ministers should end business uncertainty and protect jobs with a clear plan to reduce payments from February – in line with falling installation costs.”

Climate minister Greg Bark has tweeted  “Timing up to Courts but hope to resolve well before the end of the month.”

Judicial Review – Case is won against government on solar

Judicial Review – Case is won against government on solar

The results of a judicial review decision have declared that the pre 12^th December 2011 tariffs cannot be changed until after the full parliamentary process has been carried out.  This entails an 8 week consultation, followed by a review of the responses and then a 40 day period before the legislation takes effect.  However, this is unless the Government wins an appeal.  Despite not being given leave to appeal, the Government may put a case forward before the deadline of 4^th January 2012.

The outcomes for consideration are:- 

• Should the Government win an appeal – We will return to the current situation i.e. there is a consultation ongoing, and a domestic system can expect to earn 21p (or whatever government concludes after the consultation) from 1^st April 2012.
   
• Should the government be unable to appeal, or if it loses on appeal – The 43p tariff remains in place until the Parliamentary process has concluded (expected to be 1st April 2012).

Myriad CEG will continue to monitor the situation and further updates will be posted.

 

The public show their support for renewable energy

YouGov and the Sunday Times have recently conducted a poll which has revealed an encouraging response from the public in support for renewable energy, in particular, solar power.

In an online poll, 1,696 people were asked to convey their thoughts and opinions on current issues which included topics such as; the coalition government, striking, transport matters and renewable energy. Unsurprisingly, the results painted a bleak picture of the political and economic state of the country but encouragingly a great deal of support was received for the renewable energy industry, especially solar power.

A staggering 74% of those surveyed believed that the Government should increase the use of solar power to meet the nation’s future energy requirements and 56% gave their support for wind power, indicating that they would be happy to see an increase in wind farms.

36% indicated their support for nuclear energy, 16% for coal and only 10% would  support oil.

To view the full results please click on the link:

http://cdn.yougov.com/cumulus_uploads/document/gm4jg0973n/Sunday%20Times%20Results%20111125%20VI%20and%20Trackers.pdf

 

Energy Awards 2011 – Excellence in Carbon Reduction, Small Company category winner announced!

Myriad CEG were proud sponsors for the Excellence in Carbon Reduction – Small Company category at the Energy Awards 2011 in December and have pleasure in announcing that the winner was Camfil Farr.  We extend our congratulations on this worthy achievement.

A new industrial revolution for Britain

The Energy and Climate Change Secretary, Chris Huhne, spoke out at the Renewable UK Conference on Wednesday 26 October, saying that renewable energy technologies will deliver a new industrial revolution.

Huhne reiterated the importance of renewable energy as the UK tries to pull out of recovery and into prosperity adding that “across the country, renewables are providing jobs, investment and growth.” He highlighted that almost £1.7 billion of investment and 9,500 jobs have been announced in the last seven months alone.

During his speech Huhne also hit back against climate sceptics for their refusals to acknowledge the benefits of renewables. His remarks offered much needed support to the UK’s renewable industry amid the Government’s recent claims that rushing ahead of the rest of the EU in cutting greenhouse gas emissions would damage the economy.

Huhne’s speech coincided with the announcement of government proposals to support long-term investment in the UK’s renewables industries.  Huhne said: “By 2017, as a result of these proposals, we expect to see 70-75 TWh of renewable electricity in the UK.  This is 70% of the way towards the 108TWh of electricity needed to meet the UK’s 2020 renewable energy target”.